2010 California Election Forum

Government is the problem

“These United States are confronted with an economic affliction of great proportions. We suffer from the longest and one of the worst sustained inflations in our national history. It distorts our economic decisions, penalizes thrift, and crushes the struggling young and the fixed-income elderly alike. It threatens to shatter the lives of millions of our people.

“Idle industries have cast workers into unemployment, human misery and personal indignity. Those who do work are denied a fair return for their labor by a tax system which penalizes successful achievement and keeps us from maintaining full productivity.

“But great as our tax burden is, it has not kept pace with public spending. For decades we have piled deficit upon deficit, mortgaging our future and our children’s future for the temporary convenience of the present. To continue this long trend is to guarantee tremendous social, cultural, political, and economic upheavals.

“You and I, as individuals, can, by borrowing, live beyond our means, but for only a limited period of time. Why, then, should we think that collectively, as a nation, we’re not bound by that same limitation? We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow. And let there be no misunderstanding: We are going to begin to act, beginning today.

Finally, I thought you’d enjoy this very short video of a child’s phone call to a Christian radio program. Click here to listen; you’ll like it.

As I mentioned in the last issue, the six Republicans who voted for the massive tax increase in this recession—against their promise and pledge not to do so—should be defeated in the next election.

One of these is Assemblyman Anthony Adams, whose district lies where my second home is in Lake Arrowhead.

We endorsed Adams based on his promise to us…and we were betrayed. I’d love to run against him myself.

I fully support the recall effort and encourage readers to contact RecallAdams.org to see how you can help.

Many readers were surprised by the last issue of Reality Alert—specifically, the lead article about Ronald Reagan’s inaugural address (click here if you missed it).

They didn’t know that when Reagan took office:

• The economy had been in a recession for about 1 year.
• Unemployment was 11%.
• Inflation was over 10%.
• Interest rates were 18%.
• The media was full of stories about the worst economy since the Great Depression.
• Credit markets were in a mess.
• Business and consumer borrowing were out of control.
• Bankruptcies—personal and business—were growing because no one could afford their debt and high interest rates.
• Politicians were calling for greater federal regulation and spending as well as higher taxes on the “wealthy.” The media and politicians said capitalism had failed and that massive government intervention and spending was the only thing that could save America.

Some Christians have been very critical of Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church.

And with a few exceptions, I have found myself defending Pastor Rick. Usually, it’s because there has been a misunderstanding, or it’s a case of Pastor Rick not being as clear as he could be.

Now there is a raging controversy over Pastor Rick’s recent appearance on Larry King Live.

Greatly troubling was that Pastor Rick seemed to downplay the following:

1. His support of Proposition 8
2. The importance of marriage for kids and society
3. His opposition to judicial activism (the latest case occurring in Iowa)

What do you think?

Every small gesture means something to God—and to those you help

Finally, I thank you for reading Reality Alert and helping reshape America by writing to those in authority and helping other Christians know about the issues we cover.

One reader was discouraged being she couldn’t actually come to Election Forums anymore and no longer could write letters. I encouraged her to keep praying.

And it reminded me of a song that blesses me each time I hear it.

This is for all readers—young and old—for the things you do for the Kingdom that aren’t seen or that you may think are insignificant.

To view this short video, click here.

Christianity is a death sentence in many parts of the world

Open Doors USA, an international nonprofit ministry, has released its early report on the worst governments for persecution of Christians:

1. North Korea
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Iran
4. Afghanistan
5. Somalia
6. Maldives
7. Yemen
8. Laos
9. Eritrea
10. Uzbekistan

Over 100 million Christians worldwide suffer intimidation, interrogation, arrest and execution for their faith in Christ.

Government prohibits religious practice

Burma, a repressive Buddhist state, has ordered a stop to all Christian services held in residential homes.

The use of religious home studies has grown since Burma stopped issuing building permits for churches in the 1990s. Pray for our Burmese brothers and sisters in Christ.

Court denies protection under RLUIPA and First Amendment

Trying to establish a new church property in San Leandro, California, the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel battled high costs and community opposition.

The best solution was to use space in an industrially zoned part of town. But because the city would lose tax revenue as a result, it refused to rezone.

Because of these types of denials, in the 1990s, Congress pushed for the RLUIPA law to protect churches’ First Amendment rights to expand or build.
But a California federal district court rejected the claim that the city violated the church’s rights under RLUIPA, the First Amendent, due process and equal protection.

In fact the court stated, “The fact that there may be no other properties available to which the Church can expand its operations in the specific way it wants does not mean that the City’s zoning code imposes a substantial burden on the Church.”

Pray that this blow to religious liberty be overturned, RLUIPA will be strengthened and the church will be able to build in San Leandro.

Christian schools retain the right to determine codes of conduct

In past issues, we talked about the lawsuits against California Lutheran High School. The school expelled two girls for lesbian behavior and was sued for discrimination as a result.

The court said that the school was not a business, so it didn’t violate state law that prohibits businesses from discrimination.

This ruling is a victory for religious liberty.